Breaking Through Writer's Block

By Marige O'Brien, Copyright E2006

Writer's block -- that sudden, seemingly inexplicable inability to put words to paper -- can strike any writer at any time. In fact, inexperienced writers suffer from it more often than they realize: they just don't recognise it for what it is. They think the lack of confidence, motivation or experience is based on a far more serious problem. They're half-right. What they don't realize is, that IS writer's block, or at least some of the symptoms of it. But they are right about it being more serious, because writer's block IS serious. Fortunately, it's also curable, too.

Writer's block is that worm of doubt that creeps into the writer's psyche, causing them to second-guess each word or thought they choose and to otherwise lose focus on their intent. The reason behind that loss is secondary, at least as far as defining writer's block. What matters is that writing is hard enough. When self-doubt or self-consciousness come into play, it becomes impossible for anyone.

I know, having recently overcome yet another bout of it. In that case, it began when an innocent comment was made about my work. And it wasn't even about my ability as a writer, but about my subject matter. Had I not dealt with writer's block before, it might have been much more serious. Only experience allowed me to overcome it with relative ease. This time.

And, while there IS a distinct process for conquering writer's block, the most important thing to appreciate is that it is much more than a mere "5 Quick Tips To..." system. Rather, it is a PROCESS, one that is unique to each person, as are the malady and the suffering. So, while the process can be explained, to describe it as "steps" only denigrates both those afflicted and the cure.

With that said, below is an outline for the process, which has worked successfully throughout each case of writer's block.

1. RECOGNISE IT
   We've all heard the cliche`, "recognizing the problem is half the battle." In the case of writer's block, this is especially true. BECAUSE it's so elusive, BECAUSE it can be chalked up to so many other things, understanding that THIS, writer's block, is the problem, really is the first step to overcoming it.
   Who has writer's block? Strictly speaking, just about anyone who thinks they can't write and/or anyone who creates a mystic about writing and writers. Because anyone who can read and write CAN be a writer-- maybe not a celebrity writer, but a competent writer, nonetheless. And, yes, a professional writer. Because writing is 90% skill/craft and only 10% imagination.

2. THE SOURCE
   In almost every case, the demarcation of when the block began can be traced to a single instance. For some, it began with a casual comment or the opinion of a person the writer respects such as a teacher, friend or parent. For others, it's a particular disappointment: Not getting a particular job, not getting into a preferred college, not finding an agent or winning a contest. There is an infamous story of one young writer who papered the walls of his room with rejection slips. That writer? Ernest Hemingway. And, anyone who has wallpapered a room knows-- that's a LOT of paper! Which leads to the third stage of the process:

3. ATTACK
   Hemingway never allowed those opinions/happenstances to stop him. Was it arrogance? Or simply the need to write which outweighed his need to receive approval. Whatever the case, the important thing to understand is that we Choose HOW these incidents affect us. If this seems to fly in the face of logic -- because, afterall, without acceptance, how can a writer ever succeed? -- it should be mentioned here that, while opinions do affect us, they should never derail us. For example, suppose Hemingway had allowed one of those rejections (which often include comments, helpful and otherwise) to alter his determination. The world would be a much poorer place. But he kept on. Perhaps he understood one, universal writing truth: no, SINGLE opinion is that important. This is because READING is so subjective. Anyone who has put down a well-recommended book knows this. Even best-selling authors have their critics, just as anyone who reads has their preferred writers as well as writers they dislike. So find the instance that sparked the block and look at it objectively. Question the source, question your own expectations' realism. Something about the incident unfairly popped the balloon of a your enthusiasm. Find it, break it down and question its until you gain perspective. And, yes, this type of introspection may take years.

4. VALIDITY
   Writer's block cannot exist in a vaccum. That is, if a wrtier doesn't CARE about writing, there would be no block. It's precisely because one cares that the block exists. While this may seem obvious, what is less apparent is understanding WHY the writer cares: because they want/need to write. Stop looking for validity elsewhere. There is validity enough in the simple desire/compulsion to write. Simply put: if you want to write, that's enough.

5. BRIDGE THE GAP
   Having established the problem, its source and found motivation in validity, all that remains is to overcome the actual block.

(Hah! Is THAT all!?) It's true. Overcoming it CAN pose an extraordinary challenge. And, since this is an intensely personal challenge and dependent on the actual situation, all that can be said here is to work to find some reconciliation. For example, in my latest case of writer's block, I realized that the comment was short-sighted and shallow since the commentator had only a vague understanding of the content to begin with. Realizing this, I managed to put it aside.

And, if the problem is mechanical (grammar, punctuation, etc.), recognize that and work on it. In all cases there is a solution. It's just a matter of finding it.--mo